Miami Dolphins Get Questions and Answers by Signing Tyson Clabo

The Miami Dolphins have done everything they can to make sure that Ryan Tannehill is as productive as he can be. That is, except for one very important thing: protecting him with a solid offensive line.

One look at their depth chart reveals a harrowing hole in what would otherwise be considered a solid offensive roster.

Signing former Atlanta Falcons right tackle Tyson Clabo, as reported by Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald, does not provide a salve for the issue, but it does have the potential to relieve some of the symptoms and side effects of Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland's ignorance of the offensive line this offseason.

Clabo has experience in both a man and zone-blocking scheme, but the Falcons ran primarily a power-blocking system. That being said, Clabo himself mentioned he was coached by Alex Gibbs, the founder of the zone-blocking scheme, so he should be very familiar with what he'll be asked to do for the Dolphins.

Clabo also has the hallmark trait of a zone-blocking lineman: he blocks well in space. He earned the highest screen-blocking grade of any offensive tackle in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

So, the Dolphins ironed out their shaky situation at right tackle, but what about left tackle?

With Jake Long moving on to the Rams, the Dolphins also have to consider what will happen with Jonathan Martin permanently moving to left tackle—a move which was made all but certain with the signing of Clabo. Martin's performance was steady between the two spots but he allowed more pressure on a per-snap basis at left tackle than at right tackle.

In fact, Pro Football Focus graded him as one of the five worst offensive tackles in the NFL on the season.

The jury is out on whether he can be successful for a long period of time at left tackle, but with this move, it's clear the Dolphins think and hope so. There are still some questions, but the Dolphins have given themselves at least one answer by bringing in a former Pro Bowl right tackle to help anchor the offensive line.